BGSU :: Student Insurance :: Student Insurance Program

Student Insurance Program

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do students need insurance?

The benefits of health insurance are compelling and potentially include:
• Decreasing medical leaves of absence/withdrawals and protecting students’ academic potential – students can remain in school while managing their health care needs
• Enhancing campus community engagement – students will not need to leave campus for medical appointments
• Improving class attendance and enhancing academic success – no need to miss classes to travel for medical appointments at home
• Ensuring access to medical care and thus maintaining the health and wellness of our campus community
• Allowing BGSU to offer a viable, comprehensive, student-centered health insurance plan tailored to our individual community needs, making it possible for students to purchase good health insurance at a lower price
• Ensuring that students have adequate and appropriate health insurance – and managing the sky-rocketing cost of health insurance
• Decreasing the frequency of student debt and poor credit ratings due to unanticipated and costly medical expenses

Statistics

• University students are in the age group (19-24) most likely to be uninsured
• 15-20 percent of university students nationwide are without health insurance
• The University of Toledo, Miami University of Ohio and The Ohio State University have similar requirements, as have numerous state and private colleges and universities nationwide

Who is required to have health insurance coverage?

• All domestic undergraduate and graduate students who are enrolled for 8 credit hours or more on the main BGSU campus
• All international students who are registered for one credit hour or more, including students registered for co-ops, internships and dissertations.

I'm young and healthy, isn't this a waste of money?

It's common to believe that people of college age don't get sick. The reality though is that it can, and does happen, and when it does it can be quite costly. For example, the average appendectomy at a local hospital costs $7,200 in hospital charges alone for an uninsured individual. There are also additional charges from the surgeon and any other services utilized such as radiology. College students need health insurance to protect them physically and financially from the consequences of an unanticipated serious illness.

Can I waive out of the BGSU-Offered Student Insurance Plan?

The following minimum standards for health insurance have been created to ensure appropriate and adequate health insurance coverage for the students of Bowling Green State University and to educate our campus community on issues about health insurance.

It is anticipated that the vast majority of employer-sponsored health care plans (family plans) will most likely meet these minimum standards. If you have any questions, the Student Insurance Office will be able to assist you. Please contact the Student Insurance Office in room 134 Health Center Building, call 419-372-7495 or email studentins@bgsu.edu.

Both the Student Insurance Office and the Health Service Advisory Committee caution students who might consider purchasing stand-alone internet-based plans. It has been our experience that these plans may not provide sufficient levels of coverage to students in need of medical services and many do not meet the minimum standards.

To be waived from the BGSU-offered student insurance plan, students must be enrolled in an alternative health insurance plan which meets the following minimum standards as required by BGSU and/or U.S. Federal regulations developed for some international students.

The policy must:

• have a deductible per illness or injury of U.S. $1,000 or less.

This is from a Federal regulation and minimizes your up-front out of pocket expenses. A deductible is the amount of money you must pay per illness or injury before the insurance coverage “kicks in”. Therefore, the lower this number, the better the coverage. If your plan is a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP), with a Healthcare Savings Account (HSA) or Healthcare Reimbursement Account (HRA), please contact the Insurance Office at (419)372-7495.

• have an out-of-pocket maximum of U.S. $10,000 or less.

This means that the insurance plan will stop your out of pocket expenses at $10,000. Once you have spent this much, the insurance plan starts paying for 100% of your covered medical expenses. The lower this number, the better the coverage.

• provide at least U.S. $50,000 per covered illness or injury

This is from a Federal regulation and ensures that insurance will pay at least $50,000 towards each illness or injury. The higher this number, the better the coverage.

• provide at least U.S. $2,000 towards prescription medications

The benefit for prescription medications is the most used element of a student insurance plan. This level of coverage will ensure that insurance will pay at least $2,000 towards these expenses. The higher this number, the better the coverage.

• provide at least U.S. $10,000 coverage for inpatient and outpatient treatment of mental and nervous disorders including drug and alcohol-related conditions (Policies that treat mental and nervous disorders as any other illness are acceptable.)

This is a long-standing BGSU requirement. It ensures that students who sustain medical expenses due to mental and nervous disorders including drug and alcohol-related conditions (unfortunately one of the more common reasons that university students are seen in hospital emergency rooms) have insurance coverage. This coverage is omitted in many internet-based student insurance plans . Many family plans treat mental and nervous disorders like any other illness, so a dollar value may not be specified. If this is the case, it usually ensures very good coverage. The higher this number, the better the coverage.

• treat pregnancy/maternity as any other illness

This is a long-standing BGSU requirement regardless of gender or sexual orientation. It helps our pregnant students remain enrolled and in class

• provide at least U.S. $7,500 for repatriation and U.S. $10,000 for medical evacuation for international students

This is from a Federal regulation and only applies to international students. If you are an international student and you have questions, please contact the Student Insurance Office, located in Room 134 of the Health Center Building or by calling (419)372-7495.

• be underwritten by a U.S.-based insurance company having a rating of “A-” or
“ A-1” or better (Canadian provincial insurance will be considered acceptable)

This is from a Federal regulation. These ratings are based on the economic stability and viability of the insurance company. The higher the rating (A or A+), the better. This applies to International students only. If you are an international student and you have questions, please contact the Student Insurance Office, located in Room 134 of the Health Center Building or by calling (419)372-7495.

• provide coverage for medically necessary inpatient and outpatient services locally and throughout the state of Ohio

This ensures that students are able to obtain needed medical care while studying in Bowling Green and at BGSU-sponsored internship/externship sites.

• provide coverage at all times the student is studying at BGSU

Policies which meet all the above minimum standards will be accepted in place of the BGSU-offered student insurance plan.

Now is the time to start thinking about your health insurance plan. The web-based waiver/enrollment system will be up and running shortly. Please contact the Student Insurance Office at (419)372-7495 with any questions you may have.

What should I consider before waiving out of the BGSU-Offered Student Insurance Plan?

Will my current plan cover me for the entire academic year?
Does my current plan include doctors and hospitals in the Bowling Green area?
Is the BGSU-offered Plan less expensive than my current plan?

If I waive the BGSU-Offered Student Insurance Plan, can I still use the Student Health Service?

Yes, all currently registered students taking one or more credit hours are eligible for service at the Student Health Service. However, University employees taking courses paid for by fee waivers are not eligible for care.

The BGSU Student Insurance Office is NOT affiliated with the Student Health Service's medical service.

How long do I have to waive out of the BGSU-Offered Student Insurance Plan?

The web-based waiver form will open on May 5, 2008 for all students registered for 8 or more credit hours on main campus. If you meet these criteria and have not completed the Student Insurance Process, your bursar bill will automatically be billed for the student insurance premium on July 1, 2008. You will have until September 5, 2008 to complete the Student Insurance Process.

Please note: Filing a claim at any time with the BGSU-Offered Student Insurance Plan (including during the open enrollment period) will be deemed acceptance of the policy and the full costs of the insurance will be billed to you. In other words, if you use it, you buy it.

What kind of information do I need to prove I have comparable coverage?

A copy of your current health insurance card and proof that your current plan meets those requirements listed above. You will want to have a copy of your plan benefit brochure when you complete the waiver process.

How do I waive the BGSU-Offered Student Insurance Plan?

Domestic students registered for 8 or more credit hours on main campus must complete the web-based waiver form. The form is located on MyBGSU under Financial Services along the left side and is titled " Student Insurance Requirement ."

International students must go to the Student Insurance Office and provide an English-language copy of their alternate plan.

Remember: Filing a claim at any time with the BGSU-Offered Student Insurance Plan (including during the waiver period) will be deemed acceptance of the policy and the full costs of the insurance will be billed to you. In other words, if you use it, you buy it.

Where can I go for help?

Contact the Student Insurance Office at 372-7495. Visit us at 134 Health Center Building across from Moore Musical Arts building or email us at studentins@bgsu.edu .

What if I’m only taking 6 credit hours but need insurance?

Anyone taking 5, 6 or 7 credit hours can voluntarily purchase the student insurance program. Voluntary coverage is not bursarable, therefore payments will need to be made directly to Aetna Student Health.

Contact the Student Insurance Office at (419)372-7495 for details, or go to www.aetnastudenthealth.com to enroll.

Can my spouse/children be covered under the BGSU-Offered Student Insurance Plan?

Yes, see prices below. You will need to complete a dependent enrollment form in the Student Insurance Office.

What is the cost of the BGSU-Offered Student Insurance Plan?

2008-2009 BGSU Offered Student Insurance Plan	Annual	Fall	Spring/Summer
Student Only	$1,242	$518	$724
Student/ Spouse	$4,022	$1,677	$2,345
Student/ Child(ren)	$2,725	$1,136	$1,589
Family - Student/Spouse/Child(ren)	$5,505	$2,295	$3,210

What are the coverage dates of the BGSU-Offered Student Insurance Plan?

The plan coverage begins at 12:00:00 AM, August 1, 2008 and terminates at 11:59:59 PM on July 31, 2009

What are the specifics of the BGSU-Offered Student Insurance Plan?

For a complete brochure go to www.aetnastudenthealth.com and select "Find Your School" and enter policy number 890446 or call 1-877-373-0737.

Per Sickness or Injury	$50,000 maximum
Lifetime	$500,000 maximum
Out-of-Pocket Maximum (per policy year)	$3,500 in-network and $5,000 out of network; then policy pays 100% of covered costs
Accidental Death & Dismemberment Benefit	Up to $10,000 per student
Repatriation of remains	No limit through Assist America

Category			Out-of-Network		Notes
	Co-Payment	Percentage Covered	Co-Payment	Percentage Covered
Office Visit	$20	75%	$20	50%
Urgent Care Visit	$50	75%	$50	50%
ER Visit-SHS referred or closed	$50	100% to $500, then 75%	$50	100% to $500, then 75%	Co-payments waived if admitted
ER Visit-Not SHS referred	$100	100% to $500, then 75%	$100	100% to $500, then 75%	Co-payments waived if admitted
Hospitalization, including physician expenses	$250	75%	$250	50%	30 day limit for mental disorders and alcohol and other drug abuse. Otherwise treated like any other medical condition.
Clinical laboratory tests	$20	75%	$20	50%	Includes SHS laboratory as in-network provider
Radiology	$20	75%	$20	50%
Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Chiropractor Visits, Acupuncture	$20	75%	$20	50%	$1,000 policy year maximum
Outpatient Mental Psychiatric, Alcohol & Other Drug Abuse	$20	75%	$20	50%	No co-payment and no charge for services provided in BGSU Counseling Center; policy year maximum $2,000

Category	BGSU Pharmacy	Other Pharmacies
	Co-Insurance	Co-Insurance	Policy Year Maximum
Prescription Medications	Student pays 20%	Student pays 50%	$3,000

Exclusions:
• Pre-existing conditions, for 12 months; waived if seen for the condition at the Student Health Service
• Allergy injections
• Immunizations
• Plastic surgery, except as required to repair an injury
• Assessment or treatment of infertility
• Expenses incurred for the treatment of sports related injuries or accidents resulting from the participation in intercollegiate athletic
• Voluntary termination of pregnancy without a medical necessity. Optional abortion coverage can be purchased at www.aetnastudenthealth.com. Click on "Find Your School," enter 890446 and follow the instructions on the "Enroll" tab. Coverage includes 75% of the negotiated charge up to a maximum of $500 for a preferred provider and 50% of a reasonable charge up to a maximum of $400 for a non-preferred provider.

Inclusions:
• Vital Savings Vision and Dental Discount Plan (see www.aetnastudenthealth.com for details)
• Maternity and newborn nursery care (subject to usual inpatient and outpatient medical care cost limitations and co-payments)
• Pap smear: covered as any other laboratory test
• Self-inflicted illness or injury
• Injury to sound natural teeth: covered to a maximum of $500 annually regardless of provider
• Contraception
• TB tests, required for international students, student teachers and nursing students doing clinical rotations, and other students requiring a TB test. X-ray, if required, to be covered as any other x-ray